Youth Condemn State Violence during GMA visit in Naga City

Youth, students condemn state violence
Kabataang Pinoy – Bikol to file charges
Reference: Joseph Adrian V. Concepcion, CEGP-Bikol Spokesperson (0919.2232447)

Outraged over the incident last Monday when a couple of student activists were harassed and illegally detained by the local police, progressive youth organizations protested in front of the Philippine National Police Naga City Headquarters at noon today.

Members from the regional formations of Kabataang Pinoy, Youth and Students Opposing Balikatan (Youth STOP Balikatan) and College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) as well as sectoral alliances Gabriela Youth, Tindog Atenista and Irayana Cultural Group marched to the said station after a press conference at Residencia, Barlin Street. Each held streamers proclaiming indignation to the ill treatment experienced by CEGP Spokesperson Joseph Adrian Concepcion and Kabataang Pinoy member Angelo de los Reyes.

Kabataang Pinoy – Bikol Regional Coordinator James Gabriel Hernandez slammed the police as perpetrators of state fascism. He added that the incident was a first in their experience of spearheading protest demonstrations.

“The brutal repression of our rights and aggression from the police did not just coincide with Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s arrival. This just proves the violence that the Arroyo administration unflinchingly answers to the valid woes of the youth,” asserted Hernandez.

He furthered that they will file charges against the concerned police officers.

Camarines Sur Coordinator of the same partylist Chow Asis expressed the same sentiment .

“To serve and to protect? As the youth, we belong to the people whom the police has sworn to serve and protect! Ironically, by harassment, they are violating their duties and betraying the public trust,” he declared.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Youth Spokesperson Ivy Rivero pointed out that the police have been relentless, not even sparing women and student protesters from harrassment.

The said groups joined other sectoral organizations last Monday in a demonstration protesting the arrival of Pres. Arroyo for the 2009 PRISAA Nationals. They reiterated that Pres. Arroyo should rather focus her attention to issues regarding the ongoing Balikatan Exercises in the region, incessant oil price hikes, escalating poverty and unemployment rates, and the dismal plight of the Filipino people under the worsening economic crisis.